Convertible airplane and helicopter



Dec. 25, 1951' H. K. MOORE CONVERTIBLE AIRPLANE AND HELICOPTER 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 20, 194'? FI'G.2.

' I INVENTOR. Hamdtorz K. Moo/e Dec. 25, 1951 H. K. MOORE CONVERTIBLE AIRPLANE 'AND HELICOPTER s Shets-Sheet 2 FiledJan. 20,1947

Hamilton K. Moore r71- TaRA/E) Dec. 25, 1951 H. K. MOORE CONVERTIBLE AIRPLANE AND HELICOPTER Filed Jan. 20, 194'? 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 hwnnvrok Hamilton K. Moore fiTroRA/Er Dec. 25, 195,] H. K. MOORE 2,580,312

CONVERTIBLE AIRPLANE AND HELICOPTER Filed Jan. 20, 194'? 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Hafm'i'ton K. Moore A7- wok/var Dec. 25, 1951 H. K. MOORE 2,580,312

CONVERTIBLE AIRPLANE AND HELICOPTER Filed Jan. 20, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 /5 I 7 ATTORNEY Patenteci 15cc.

UNITED STATES PATENT osFlci-i CONVERTIBLE AIRPLANE AND HELICOPTER Hamilton K. Moore, St. Louis, Mo.

Application January 20, 1947, Serial No. 723,105

6 Claims. (01. 2447) This invention relates to aircraft, and more particularly to a new design for a convertible, combination of airplane and helicopter; and the main object of the invention is to provide such convertible aircraft adapted to either ascend or descend vertically, or to travel on a straight away course.

Another object of the invention is to provide a combination airplane and helicopter, the blades of the rotor and the wings of the aircraft being mounted on spars rotatably journaled in the rotor hub and in the fuselage or frame of the craft, whereby the pitch angles of the said blades and wings may be increased or decreased, with means subject to control of the pilot for varying or changing such pitch angles at will, for meeting various exigencies of flight or travel.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in an aircraft of the kind referred to, means subject to control of the pilot for tilting the rotor of the helicopter laterally, for counteracting cross air currents, and stabilizing the air-craft in its flight.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in an aircraft of the kind referred to, an engine or motor with clutch mechanisms for engaging and operating either the airplane propeller or the helicopter rotor separately, or both simultaneously, as may be desired.

With the above stated objects in view, together with such other and additional objects and advantages as may appear from the following specification, attention is now directed to the accompanying drawings as exemplifying one preferred form and embodiment of an aircraft constructed in accordance with this invention, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view, on a relatively small scale, of a convertible, combination airplane and helicopter, constructed in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view, on an enlarged scale and partly in section, of the main or body portion of the aircraft, 'same being a longitudinal, vertical section, taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a combined cross-sectional and schematic view, taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2 and on the same scale therewith.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary, detail view, on 'a lesser scale than Figures 2 and 3, taken on the line 44 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a schematic view, in frontal elevation and on a reduced scale, showing the normal or first of three progressive steps or stages of the wings and rotor blade assembly of the aircraft,

'the wings of the aircraft being turned vertically downward as in a landing operation, and showing immediately above said Wings and rotor the related positioning of the make and break elements of the stabilizing mechanism, all said elements being shown as normally positioned as in a landing operation.

Figure 6 is a view similar to that of Figure 5, showing the second of the three steps or stages of the said elements of Figure 5, same being the off-normal positioning of the elements on the lateral tilting of the air-craft.

Figure 7 is a view similar to the view of Figures 5 and 6, showing the third of the three steps or, stages of the said elements of Figure 5 as in process of returning these elements to normal, upright position again.

Figure 8 is a plan view, on a somewhat larger scale than Figure 1, of the rotor blade assembly, the direction of rotation of the blades and the flight of the air-craft being indicated by arrows.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary detail, on an enlarged scale relative to Figure 8, taken on line 9-9 of Figure 8, showing a cushion joint between two blade segments, the same constituting an important feature of this invention, as designed for accommodating and absorbing the bending stresses upon the blade in flight.

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of a rotor blade, taken on line Ill-40 of Figure 8, and on an enlarged scale relative thereto.

Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view similar to Figure 10, taken on line H of Figure 8, showing a rotor blade as in process of rotation on its axis, the alternate positioning of the blade as turned completely over being indicated in dotted lines.

Figure 12 is a view similar to that of Figure 11, representing a rotor blade as turned vertically for serving as a stabilizing fin in straight away flight.

Figure 13 is a vertical section, taken on line Iii-l3 of Figure 19 and on a greatly enlarged scale, showing the hub of the rotor unit, the gears therein, and a fragment of rotor blade spar as extended therefrom.

Figure 14 is a schematic, detail view of the gear train assembly of the rotor hub, taken on line I l-J4 of Figure 13 and on a slightly reduced scale.

Figure 15 is a horizontal section, on line I 5-l5 of Figure 13 and on an enlarged scale, showing the gear mechanism employed for rotating the individual rotor blades on their axes.

Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view taken on line i 6-16 of Figure 15 and on an enlarged scale relative thereto.

Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view taken on line l'l-W of Fi ure 15 and on an enlarged scale relative thereto.

Fi ure 18 is a schematic sectional view, taken on the line Ifi-IB of Figure 15 and on an enlarged s'cale. showing the timing mechanism for controllingthe degree of rotation of certain of the rotor blades, as indicated in Figures l1, l2, 15.

Figure 19 is a side elevation on a scmewhat larger scale than Figure l. of the forward end of the aircraft, illustrating the method of turning the craft about its vertical axis, by'angularly adiusting the wings at each side, and in like manner counteracting the 1ateral torque generated by the rotor in flight Figure 20 is a vertical section takenon line 2ll2il of Fi ure 15, andon ap roximately the same scale, through the-hub of the rotor an elements contained therein, the cap of the hub being shown part y in full lines. and the hub sh ft sho n as extended down through the roof of the craft.

Figure 21 is a perspective view of the rotor blade assemblv. as turned and set for straight horizontal flight in a direction indicated by the arrow.

Figure 22is a detail in perspective and on a reduced scale, showing a section of the lower end of the chambered shaft-link constituting a part of the rotor shaft unit, and showing the method of assembling the associated elements.

In constructing an aircraft in accordance with this invention, I provide a suitable frame-work or fusela e of conventional materials and structure, and here generally referred to at 5, this said frame-work being covered and inclosed in usual manner.

A pusher tvpe propeller 6 is mounted at the rear end of the craft, at theend of a propeller drive shaft I longitudinally journaled through the end of the craft and through a conventional type of engine or motor 8 housing as shown and mounted within the rear end of the craft. The shaft 1 is extended inwardly through the engine 8 and a beveled pinion gear 9 is rigidly keyed thereon and placed in mesh with a beveled gear I keyed at the lower end of a vertically disposed rotor drive shaft H. These gears are enclosed within a separable two-part housing l2l2a bolted together at l3 and bolted at M to the inner end of the engine housing. The upper side of the housing l2 carries a sleeve 1221 through which the rotor shaft extendsand whereby this shaft is supported in its operative vertical. position.

A stub-shaft link I is extended at the upper end of the rotor shaft I I, and is connected therewith by means of a universal joint IE5 (Figure 2). The shaft link !5 is flanged and splined circumferentially at its upper end and thereby bolted as at l5a to the complementally splined or grooved lower end of another, but chambered stub-shaft link H, which is journaled through a crank block I8 on vertically spaced roller bearings {9 (Figure 20), which are held in place in the block by the lock-rings 2D, Zea. The upper ring 2% is threadedly seated as shown (Figure 20) on the upper end of the shaft link H, for facilitating the assembling of the elements. The lower ring 20a is parted for facilitating mounting on the lower grooved end of the 1ink [1. (Figure 22.) Bolts 2! support at one side a bracket 22 designed for carrying electrical connectors in manner later explained. The crank block 18 is the crossmember connecting the arms Ida (Figure 2) of a crank, and the free ends of these arms are formed with longitudinally extended and aligned journal shafts 23, 23a (Figure 2) which are journaled in hangers 24, 26a depended from the roof of the craft and bolted thereto as at 2'5.

The crank block it is located freely in a transversely elongated opening zfi formed medially through the roof .of thecraft, and is thus adapted to oscillate laterally in'said opening, carrying with it said shai't-iink H and connections. The recessed and chambered shaft-link it is flanged outwardly circumferentially at its upper end, as at Ila, and is also splined as shown, and is thus adapted to seat downwardly through the circularly apertured and ccmplementally grooved or splined lower end of the hollow, two-part, rotor blade hub 23, the upper and lower parts 28a, 2%, thereof being bolted together as at 29 to complete the hub,..and which hub also. lorrnsa primary rotor blade gear housing.

The outwardlyfianged upper margin of the upper lockring is.diametricallynotchcd as at 231:. Aipairof righteangled lock-lugs 2's is provided (Figure 20)., the upwardly positioned and outwardly turned webs or flanges Zia thereoi being apertured for passing the bolts 2%, whereby by passing these bolts likewise through the cut-turned flange lie of the shaft-link it, and through the bottom or lower end of the lower hubpart 23b, theseelements are all firmly but removably locked together. The downturned webs or flanges 2'50 of the angular lugs 2? are fitted into the notches 28b of the lock ring 23, and so as to intermesh therewith when the elements are assembled. With the elements thus firmly bolted together, the locking ring 2% cannot turn, and a very rigid joint is'provided. By removing the bolts Tb the elements maybe disassembled, and the lock ring 29 may be rotated on its threads foradjllsting the bearings 19.

A secondary rotor blade gear housing 260 is seated upon the upper'housing 23a, and'upon that is seated'a motor dome or housing 333, flanged circumferentially at its lower end as at 30c and these'ele'ments are then secured together by bolts 3| passe'didown through the flange of the domefdfi, through'the secondary housing ZQc'and threadedlyseated in theh'ub and housing part 250.. The parts 2%, 28b of the hub housing are formed with laterally extended, angularly equi-spaced'and aligned, rotor blade sleeve-parts 32', 52a," semi-circular in cross-secnon; for providing sleeves orbearings, and journal boxes for rotatably; engaging the inner ends, shanks or journals of the rotor blade "spars 33, 34,15, which carry the rotor bladesSfi, .Es'i, 39, forming the helicopter unit of the craft, (Figures 15,20); V

As-here shown by the arrows, the helicopter blades are represented as revolvin in clockwise direction, as regarded from above. Inasmuch as one important object of the invention is, to' adapt the helicopter, not only for normal vertical movement of the, aircraft, but also for straight away flight after the d'esiredaltitude is attained, provision is made accordinglyv for adjusting the rotor blades forsuch straight away flying, and as will now be described. One of the rotor blades, as the blade 36 as here shown, is set at a fixed and permanent pitch by fixedly anchoring theshank or journal of its spar 33 within its bearing sleeve, as indicated at 3311' (Figure 15);

A reduced spindle 33b is axially extended at the inner end of the spar 33, to form a journal on which is rotatably seated a beveled timing gear 39. The hub 39a of this gear carries the insulated commutator elements 40, 40a, arranged and adapted to engage electrical contact brushes 4|, 4la, as extended in the hub housing for that purpose, and whereby the electrical current operating the control motor, as later explained, may be alternated or reversed, for the purpose of partially rotatin and setting the other and electri cally controlled rotor blades 31, 38, to the exact degree required in the operation of the craft in straight away flight, and as later explained.

A similar beveled gear 42 is rigidly keyed upon the inner end of the rotor blade spar 34, for partially rotating or half-turning the rotorblade 31 as required in straight away flight. The inner end of the blade spar 35 is extended diametrically through the hub 28 and is journaled in the bearing 422: formed in the hub wall. (Figuresl5 and 20.) A sleeve 43 is mounted freely upon this inner end of the spar 35, and is cut shorter than the inner diameter of the hub so that it may slide or oscillate longitudinally on the spar 35. The outer end of the sleeve 43 is slotted longitudinally as at 43a (Figures 15, 17) for slidably engaging lugs 28c formed up on the base 28b of the hub 28. Thus this sleeve may reciprocate on the spar 35, but cannot rotate. At the opposite side of the hub 28, the inner mouth of the journal box formed by the sleeve parts 32, 32a, is widened, as at 32c, and the sleeve 43 thereat is formed with a worm groove as indicated at 43b. A beveled gear 44 on its hub 44a, is rotatably seated over this grooved end of the sleeve, the outer end of said hub being journaled in the bearing 45 seated in the mouth of the journal box, and the inner end being journaledin the bearing 46 seated in a pedestal extended up from the hub base 281), this pedestal being chambered out for the purpose and apertured centrally for passing the sleeve 43 and inclosed spar 35. A worm or screw 44b is formed within the hub 44a on the inner faces thereof, said worm being formed complemental to and adapted to seat and turn freely within the worm-groove 43b of the sleeve 43. Inwardly of the hub and of the pedestal 28d the sleeve 43 is formed with a pair of diametrically opposed and angularly extended torque slots 430, the angle or pitch thereof corresponding with the directional turn or twist of the said worm and groove. A torque pin 35a is fixedly seated through the inner end or shank of the spar 35, in operative alignment with the torque slots 43c, the ends of this pin being protruded into said slots, whereby on the reciprocation of the sleeve 43 on the spar 35 the latter will be caused to partially turn or rotate, the degree of rotation depending on the length of the commutator contacts 40, 40a, on the hub 39a of the timing gear 39 as carried on the inner end of the spar 33. The proper degree of rotation will be later pointed out.

The partial rotation of the beveled spar gears 39, 42, 44, is accomplished by means of a, beveled master gear 41 keyed at the lower end of the stub-shaft 48 (Figures 13, 18, 20),,the latter being journaled centrally through the upper hub and housing part 28a. A driven planetary gear 49 is keyed upon the upper end of this shaft and lies within a recess 28d formed in the lower side of the housing section 280. This gear is dished and the annular raised margin thereof is gearcutto' formthe, internal spur gear teeth 49a.

(Figures 13, 14.) The gear 49 is thus adapted'to operatively engage the inclosed planetary gear unit comprising the central drive pinion 50 as intermeshed with a pair of laterally disposed idler gears and which in turn mesh with the gear 49. The pinion 50 is keyed upon the lower end of the motor shaft 5| of the reversible electric motor 52 bolted at 52a in the dome 30 of the assembly, said shaft being extended down and journaled through the upper side of the housing 280. Likewise the idler gears 50a are keyed upon the lower ends of the stub-shafts 5la journaled through the upper side of the housing 280. The motor 52 is energized through the lead-in Wires 53, 53, for clockwise and counter-clockwise rotation of the motor shaft 5!, gears 49, 41, the connected blade spars 34, 35 and the rotor blades 31, 38 as carried thereon. The wires 53, 53a are extended down through the assembled elements as clearly shown in Figure 20, and they end in insulated contact rings 54, 54a mounted around the lower end of the stub shaft-link l1, said rings being thus adapted for engaging the brushes 55, 55a, supported on the bracket 22, and connected with the ends of the outer wires 56, 56a, which are extended through the connector 56b to and end in switches on the instrument board of the pilot's cockpit, in conventional manner, and not here shown. The wires 53, 53a may be grounded to the frame of the craft in conventional manner.

A solenoid unit 5! (Figures 13, 20) is bolted as as 51a, through the upper flanged end of its housing, centrally within the top of the dome 30. This unit conventionally includes an inner cylindrical shell 51b mounted concentrically within the outer cylindrical housing, an insulated helical winding within the space between the inner shell and outer housing, a central core or plunger of iron freely positioned within the inner shell for axial reciprocation, and means for electrically energizing the helical winding. In accordance with this invention, the inner shell 51b (Figure 13) is grooved longitudinally as at 51c, and thus arranged to slidably engage the complementally splined plunger or core 51d formed with the downwardly protruded clutch fingers 57c, and the plunger is spring-set for normally. urging the clutch fingers outwardly and downwardly. However, as the solenoid is electrically energized the core or plunger is drawn upward, thus. retracting the clutch fingers. The motor shaft 5! is complementally bored out and longitudinally grooved through its upper end, as indicatedat 5!?) (Figure 13) for slidably engagingthe lower end of the splined core. 51d and the fingers 51c. The solenoid unit 5'! is energized through shunt wires 53b, 53c, extended from the wires 53, 53a (Figure 20) and through the directional relays 53d, 53c. By this conventional arrangement, when the solenoid is not energized, the fingers 51c will be spring-pressed downward and intermesh with the bored and grooved upper end 5lb of the motor shaft 5|, thus locking that shaft against rotation and simultaneously locking the connected rotor blade spars 34, 35, and blades 31, 33, at any degree or angle of pitch at which they are turned, at the instant-'thecoie Sid'falls.-

On the other hand, when the solenoid and motor are simultaneously energized by the pilot turning one of the switches on the instrument board, the plunger 51d and fingers 51c are drawn free of the motor shaft 5|, and the motor 52 simul-- taneouslyrotates this shaft to reset the rotor blades to a- ,new angle ,or pitch, asdesired or as camera may 'be automatically determined in manner" now to be described.

For vertical ascent, the helicopter blades' are all set at =theusualpitch for the purpose, the bla'cle36 being p'ermanently so set, and the blades 3i,'-'3'8, being correspondingly so set through operation of the motor 52* and the-commutatorelements to, Mica-as ab'ove'stated. For-straight away flight however, andinorder that the helicopter blades may be stationarily-and properly positioned orturned-for"co-operating with the wings of the craft, as later referred to, it is necessary that all the blades 36, 3'7, 38, cease to rotate-that two of l the blades, as '36 and 3! be aligned transversely; of the craft, that the blade 'Sl be turned completely over through the required ang-1e, for aligningits pitch-and-leading-edge with the pitchand leading edgeofthe fixed blade 35, and that the" third blade 38' be directed rearwardly'an'd turned or feathered vertically through the required angle,'so as to serve =as'a stabilizing fin or rudder infiight. For" automatically accomplishing'such turning of 'theblades 3?, 38, the commutator contactslt, Allaon oppositesidesof the gear hub 38a are of the exact length required for rotating the blade-cl theproper degree as above specified and the worm or'screw 44b within the hub 44a, as riding within the complemental groove'43b of the sleeve43, is of such length and pitch as to cause the torque pin 35a'as passed through the spar 35, to traverse the angular torque slots 430 of the sleeve '43, the exact distance required for rotation the blade spar 35 and blade 38 to feather vertically as above specified. These movements are accomplished by the pilot closing the one of the stated two switches on the instrument board and thus energizing the motor 52 for operating the solenoid and control gears as above pointed out.

The commutator strips or contacts 49, 48a, and brushes 4|, la, are mounted at opposite sides of the'gear hub 39a, and are thus adapted for passing the electric current in either direction through the connected motor 52, (the engine 3 and rotor'shaft I I being first disconnected) for rotating the motor shaft 5| in either direction and thus either turningthe blades 32', 38, (Figures 8, 1'0, 11, 12) into fixed and stationary positions for straight away flight, or else returning them again to their revolving or rotary status for vertical ascent. Owing to the normal pitch of the rotor blades for vertical climbing, spaces 1:, 11, (Figure 18) are left which circumferentially separate the commutator strips- 46, 49a. Consequently the corresponding arrangement of the brushesA l 41a, is such that as one of the brushes, asfor example the brush 4 I, passes into the space at, thus breaking the circuit as flowing in one direction or stopping themotor 52, the opposite brush 41a will be left standing at the end of the reversing commutator strip 46a at the space y, whereby as the motor is reversed by the pilot closing the other switch, the blades 31, 38, will tion, thisis accomplished by manipulation of the helicopter unit and blades in the following mannerr As above pointed out, the rotor drive shaft sections, 15;. are connected through the universal joint 16 and with the connected shaft link ll "journaled through the crank block l8, thus enabling the rotor'to be oscillated laterally; The mechanism for this purpose comprises awalking beam (Figures 2, 3) on its shaft 6 l, and mounted in the upper medial portion of the craft, said shaft being journaled at one end through the lower 'end'of the'forward hanger 24a. The hanger 24a is in the nature of a two-part hollow'casing bolted together as at 241) anddepended from the roof of the craft by means of bolt 25. The journal-shaft 23a, as, extended forwardly from the crank leg 18a is reduced and journaled through the upper end of thecasing hanger 24a, as indi cated at 2317, vertically above and in parallel alignment with the walking beam shaft SI. Vertically aligned and intermeshed gear segments 64b, 64c, are-keyed upon these shafts inside the casing 24a. A circuit make and break unit-64 (Figures 2,, 3) is mounted at the face of the casin hanger 25a, immediately over the walking beam 60. This unit includes an insulated make and break cam 64a, pinned at fi lc-tothe exposed forward end of the shaft 231), and so as to oscillate therewith under the lateral tilting of the helicopter rotor relative to the aircraft as a whole.

Immediately over the cam 64a is mounted a semicircular metallic contact bracket Gfid which is fixedly secured to the face of the casing hanger 24a, but is insulated therefrom in conventional manner. As above stated, the'rack segment 64b meshes with its complementary rack segment'fi le rigidly mounted on the shaft 6! of the walking beam 66. Electrical contacts 65, 65a, are removably supported on flexible fingers 6519, from which they are insulated,"at either side of the cam 64a and freely within the lateral spaces intervening between that cam and the'adjacent metallic ends of the bracket 64d. Thus as the cam 64a oscillates laterally to either side, it impinges the intervening contact 65 or tfia'and forces same over against the downturned end of the bracket bed, for closing an electrical circuit from the supply line 66 as connected at 6641 with the said bracket, through either of the lines '61, 81a, as connected to andext'ended from the movable contacts 65,

65a, for operating the solenoid master valve andlarly pivoted as at'lfiaito the ends of the walkingbeam 60. The hydraulic fluid for operating these jacks is contained. in a conventional vessel H at each side, and a pump 12 is mounted on the lower side of the housing 12 and its casing opens thereinto for connection with and operation by thegear I!) ma conventional manner. By means of this pump the hydraulic fiu'id is drawn from the'vessel H throughithe connecting pipe 13, an'd this fluid is then forced out again under pressure by the pump, through the pressure pipe or line 14, from which main pipe branch pipes 14a, 1412, are connected with the outer ends of the master control cylinder or valve cylinder 15, which is mounted transversely in the frame of the craft (Figure 3). Return branch pipes 18a, 181), are connected with the under side of the cylinder inwardly of the pipes 14a, 14b, and in alignment therewith, and these pipes 16a, 16b, in turn are connected with the main return pipe 18 leading back to the vessel or container 1 I. Jack operating pressure pipes 11, 11a, are connected at one end with the outer ends of the cylinder 15 at the upper side thereof, outwardly of the inlet pipes 14a, 14b, and at their opposite ends these pipes are operatively connected with the jacks 68, 88a, and from these jacks return pipes 18, 18a, extend back to and connect with return branch pipes 16a, 1%, leading from the cylinder 15. The cylinder 15 is of three flanged sections as shown (Figure 3), and bolted together through their flanges, as at 15a. Within the cylinder 15 is reciprocatingly mounted a two-headed solenoid piston valve unit 19, the same being so dimensioned that the elongated heads 19a, 1%, thereof overlie at each end the mouths of the inlet and outlet pipes 14a, 14b, and 15a, 18b, but do not cover the mouths of the upper pressure outlet pipes 11, 11a, when the piston unit 19 is in its medial or inoperative position within the cylinder 15. The central section 15b of the cylinder 15 is wound to form a solenoid, wherein the connecting rod 190 of the heads 19a, 18b, serves as a plunger.

The valve piston heads 19a, 19?), are formed interiorly with the flow-ports 19c, 19d, which as shown in Figure 3, include the lower forks 19c adapted for connecting the inner mouths of the pipes 14a, 16a, and 14b, 16b, when the piston unit 19 is in medial position, the upper forks 19 and the connecting stems 19g. The arrangement of these ports is such that with the piston unit 19 positioned medially in the piston 15 (Figure 3), the flow of hydraulic fluid would be shut oil from the pipes 11, 11a, leading to the jacks 58, 68a, but would be returned through the pipes 16a, 161), without interierring with the circulation of the fluid through other and connected parts of the system. On the other hand, when it is desired to operate either of the jacks 68, 58a, for tilting the rotor unit or blades laterally, this is done by sliding the piston unit 19 towards either end of the cylinder 15, as desired, far enough to close one of the inlet pipes 14a, 151), while by the same movement connectin the other inlet with either of the jack operating pipes 11, 11a, through the aligned forks of either one of the ports 19c, 19d. Coil springs 88 are mounted in the ends of the cylinder for normally holding the piston unit 18 to its medial, inoperative position Within the cylinder 15.

The central solenoid section 15b of the cylinder 15 is electrically energized for moving the piston valve unit 19 to either end of the cylinder 15 for the purpose of actuating either of the jacks 68, 68a, through the electrical connections 8i, 8I a, inserted through the ends of the solenoid section 15b of the valve cylinder 15, said connection being incorporated in circuit with the wiring 81, 81a, and said wiring including shunt extensions to the reversible switches 82, 82a, mounted on the instrument board of the craft, the relays 83, 83a, and connected wiring 84, 84a runningtothemovable insulated contacts '85, 85a.

The switch 82 controls the flow of current through the wires as stated, for the automatic operation of the electrical system and connected devices, for the purposes described. The other switch 82a is hand operated, and provides means 'for operating the electrical system and connected devices should the automatic system fail for any reason.

A gyroscope box 86 is mounted on a bracket 86a extended from the housing I2, and within this box is mounted a conventional gyroscope 81. An insulated, semi-circular, metallic contact bracket 88 is fixedly pinned at 88a within the box, and'an insulated make and break cam 89 is mounted on a spindle 89a, between the said movable contacts85, a, the latter being also mounted Within the box 86, between the cam 89 and the pendant legs of the contact bracket 88 at each side. The spindle 89a of the cam 89 is journaled in the box 8E and is so associated and connected with the gyroscope 81, that so long as the aircraft inflight maintains its normal upright position, the cam 89 will remain equally poised between and air-insulated from the contacts 85, 85a, but immediately on the lateral tilting of the aircraft towards either side, then the cam 89 will push one of the contacts 85, 85a, over against the adjacent leg of the contact bracket 88, thus closing an electrical circuit through the connected wiring. The electrical system employed further includes a battery 98 mounted on and grounded to a rail '69 of the frame and controlled by the reversible switch 82a, the main line wires 9 I, 92, with line 9I connecting through the'switch 82 with the wires 61, 61a, the latter being joined to the connections 8|, 8Ia, of the solenoid sections 15b of the valve cylinder 15, for operating thevalve piston heads in manner described, the one-way relays 83, 83a, and wiring 84, 84a, running to the conventional movable contacts 85, 85a, the extensions 84b, 840, from wires 84, 84a, running to the ends of a two-way solenoid switch 93, 93a, and with line 92 connecting through the switch 82a and contact pin 88a with the wires 94, 94a, for operating the pressure switches 95,9511, for controlling the flow of the hydraulic fluid into the jack operating pipes 11, 1111, the wires 96, 98a extended from the valves 95a, 95, to the magnetic relief valves 91, 91a, of the jacks 68, 68a, for releasing the fluid from either jack through the pipes 18, 18a, as the opposite jack is operated, the arrangement being such that the valves 95, 91a, are simultaneously operated, and alternately the valves 95a, 91, are likewise simultaneously operated. Thus the walking beam 88 and connected rotor of the helicoptermay readily be rocked laterally to either side by manipulation of the said switches and electrically controlled valves. The various sets of wiring as above described and as shown schematically in Figure 3, are formed into cables as shown inFigure 2, and thus extended to posi-- tion said cables includingcable 98 from the bat tery--9ii to the master circuit box or distributor box 98 supported within the craft in any conventional manner, and from which box are extended cables I98 to the make and break unit 61, the wires I8I, I82, to the gyroscope box 86, with branches, to the switches 95, 95a, and 91, 91a,

and extensions I82a, and I83 to the controlsinotshown) in the pilots cab I84.

Inthe operation of the jacks 68, 68a, for righting the'craft, the'solenoid switches 93, 93a,

operate to a cut out the circuit from the supply wire 86 so long as the craftis tilted to either side."

.but as .the craft is rightedhorizo y. h y scope8'I pulls the cam 89 free from either contact 85, 8m, and closes the current through the wire .66 for operating-the make and break unit 64, in manner pointed out, for again righting and leveling the blades of the helicopter. Figures 5, 6, 7 illustrate the positioning of the craft, rotor, and the make and break units, in the righting of the craft from a lateral tilted position.

Wing panels I are provided and mounted on tubular spars I96, and the inner ends of these spars are journaled through the fixed and stationary shoul er sections Iflfia of the wings, as at lilta (Figure 4), said sections being rigidly anchoredat the right pitch to the frame and fuselageof the craft, as indicated at I05b in Figure 1. The inner enosof the spars Illii are passed intothe upper forward portion of the pilot's cab 134,-31763011 side, and spur gears In? (Figure 2) arerigidly keyed upon these inner ends. Hydrauiic jacks Iuuare bolted as at I09 on brackets Hli, directly under the gears Ilil, and the upper ends of the piston rods of the jacks I08 are formed as racks H180. and placed in mesh with the gears lill. 'rhe brackets H9 are supported on extensions (not shown) from the frame 5 of the craft. An alternate means of support would be strap hangers from the roof of the craft. Either method would be conventional structure.

Hydraulic supply and return pipes III, H2, are extended at each side of the craft from the lower and upper sides of the hydraulic fluid containers 'Il, and at their forward ends these pipes are turned upwardly towards the jacks I08. The supply pipes lil enter electric pumps H3 mounted on: the rails 69 .(FigureZ), the control lines H4 thereofv being extended to switches on the instrument board in the pilots cab. The delivery sides of the pumps H3tare connected by shortpipes HIa with selector valve boxes H5, at the under sides thereof, and other short pipes IIIb connect withthese boxes through their upper sides, the upper ends of said pipes being in turn connected withthe upper ends of the jacks I08. Similarly the return pipes H2 connect with the boxes H5 through the sides thereof as shown, with short connecting pipes H2b connecting these boxes with the lower ends of the jacks I98. Conventional forms of valves are mounted in the boxes I I5, with extended handles H'ea, whereby the flow of the hydraulic fluid through the said supply pipes and through the jacks I08 may be controlled, these operations in turn serving to turn the wings I05 as desired, for increasing or decreasing the pitch thereof as necessary in the operation of the aircraft.

Inasmuch as this-combination aircraft is designed to serve both as a helicopter for vertical movement and for straightaway flying as an airplane,';and since helicopter rotor blades are conventionally made lighter and more flexible, and consequently less rigid than the conventional wings of an-airplane, I here describe and show (Figures 8, 9) a form of rotor blade adapted to function equally well as a flexible blade for the rotor of a helicopter in its verticalmovements and also .as a relatively stiff and rigid, auxiliary airplane wing for straight away flight, when turned to proper position for that purpose as above described, and so locked. Owing to the forward thrust of an airplane in straight away flight,'stronger upward stresses are brought to bear on the under sides of the wings thereof than on the blades of a helicopter rotor as normally operated" for vertical ascent only. Onat any rate th l f e ,stresseson the wings-are moreefiem tive, because centrifugal force as exerted on the rotor blades in ascent tends to hold them stretched out straightly.

Accordingly and to meet such dual purpose and function of such rotor blades as required in the present invention, .1 provide sectional helicopter blades such as here represented at 36; 31, 38, in Figures 8, 9. As shown, these blades are constructed in sections 36a, b, 0, 31a, b, c, and 38a, b, c, the sections being pivotally connected transversely by pins I I] journaledthrou'gh overlapped portions of the bracing or struts H8 of the blades, at the under sides thereof. At .the upper sides of the blades, vertical V-shaped partings H9 are formed in the strut formations, wherein are mounted complementallyshaped hollow or tubular and flexible cushions I20 of rubber or-other suitable material. Arcuate tie rods I2I are anchored at their ends to bolts or pins I22 mounted in the strut formations on the margins of the partings H9, and these rods I22 serve to prevent the blade sections from sagging below their normal level positions. But when as stated, these blades are set in their stationary positions for functioning as auxi;iary wings, the saidliftingstresses imparted to thereby straight away flight, will be taken care of by the flexing of the blades-at the cushions I20.

It is thought that from the foregoing disclosures as embodied in the drawings and specifications, the construction, use andoperation of the described combination airplane and helicopter will be fully understood, and while certain specific embodiments and structural features are thus disclosed and described, itis to be understood that the same may be changed and modified as desired to best effectuate a practicable combination aircraft of the kind referred to, provided that such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a combined airplane and helicopter adapted for vertical ascending and descending movements and straight-line travel at will, a helicopter assembly permanently mounted at the top of the airplane body, a power source for the helicopter assembly, the helicopter assembly including a housing, a vertical rotor shaft journaled in the housing and extending thereabove, three rotor blades radially extending from the upper end of the rotor shaft anduniformly spaced about a centerlocated on the longitudinal axis of the rotor shaft, one of said rotor blades being mounted with a permanent fixed pitch, the remaining pair of rotor blades being mounted for connected from the power source, the rotor bladeswill be disposed symmetrical to a vertical plane through the longitudinal axis of the airplane,

with theblade of permanent fixed pitch-and'one of the blades of variable pitch respectively extending in opposite directions substantially transversely of the longitudinal axis of the airplane, andthe other blade of variable pitch being in-a i ing osit on,:withiree ee to he-linef-fi eht.

2. A combined airplane and helicopter as set forth in claim 1, wherein one of said pair of rotor blades is mounted for arcuate adjustment about its axis through an angle of approximately 180 to thereby enable blade travel about the longitudinal axis of the rotor shaft with its leading edge positioned incident to the travel path of the blades during vertical movements of the airplane and to reverse the position of such leading edge to present said blade in the same pitch relation as the permanent pitch blade during straight-away flying.

3. A combined airplane and helicopter as set forth in claim 1, wherein the mounting of each of the blades includes a spar section extending along the longitudinal axis of the radiating blade and extending within the peripheral wall of the housing, and means in the pilot station of the airplane for actuating said blade pitch adjusting means.

4. A combined airplane and helicopter as set forth in claim 1, wherein the helicopter assembly includes a spar for each of the rotor blades, the spars being supported in the housing, said blade pitch adjusting means including pinions mounted on the spars of the adjustable pitch blades and a master gear engaging said pinions.

5. A combined airplane and helicopter as set forth in claim 4, wherein the blade pitch adjusting means includes a motor-driven assembly operative to drive the master gear in either direc- 14 tion of rotation and controlla'bleat will from the pilot station, a time-control instrumentality of the commutator type operative control the time-length of the operation' ;janjd a pinion mounted on the spar of said blade of fixed pitch engaging said master gear, said instrumentality being mounted on the last-named pinion.

6. A combined airplane and helicopter as set forth in claim 5, wherein said blade pitch adjusting means includes means forZimparting differential angular displacements to the spars of said adjustable pitch blades. 1

HAMILTON, K. MOORE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent: 1

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

